Carlo Gonzaga Taste Holdings , Nedbank and Brimstone Investment have announced the renewal of their pioneering partnership, Sisonke, which offers funding to potential franchisees that have the ability but lack the start-up capital to open a franchise. Due to its success, this funding model has been extended for a further two years, and whereas in the previous agreement funding was exclusively available to qualifying franchisees of The Fish & Chip Co. , the offer now extends to qualifying franchisees of Zebro's Chicken as well. In essence those entrepreneurs that are interested in acquiring a Fish & Chip Co Franchise or a Zebros fast food franchise and don’t have the full 50% cash contribution which is normally required as a down payment and also don’t have security on offer to support the remaining 50% that is financed, can now put up only a 20% cash contribution and they also don’t have to put up any hard collateral for the 80 % financing component. According to Ma...

Starbucks Coffee comes to South Africa in 2016 Starbucks Coffee Company and Taste Holdings today announced a licensed partnership that will see Starbucks stores open across South Africa. For the first time in Southern Africa, Starbucks will open full-format stores bringing the entire range of its food and beverages, including its ethically-sourced Arabica coffee, to South African consumers.   Kris Engskov, president, Starbucks Europe, the Middle East and Africa (EMEA) and Carlo Gonzaga, CEO of Taste Holdings “We are proud to be bringing Starbucks to South Africa next year,” says Kris Engskov, president, Starbucks Europe, the Middle East and Africa (EMEA). “Working with Taste, our partner, we’re going to deliver a great Starbucks experience.  The coffee market here is vibrant and growing fast – we want to be part of that growth, bringing the passion and energy of this remarkable country into the design of our first store and our first barista team. We can’t wait to get...

Arrival of Domino’s Pizza in SA creates real jobs Carlo Gonzaga Since its successful launch into the South African market in April last year, followed by the opening of six stores from October 2014, Domino’s Pizza has already made a noteworthy contribution to job creation around the country.  The six restaurants effectively employ over 180 people, and more than 300 jobs will be created with the opening of an additional 12 restaurants by the end of March 2015. The company estimates that it will open or convert 125 stores in 2015, adding further socio-economic development initiatives. Domino’s Pizza employs a range of employees, including those who function as trainers, general managers, assistant managers, behind-the-counter crew and drivers, as well as head office staff. Ongoing skills development is taking place with 22 employees already having completed in-depth training of between two and five weeks in Miami, Florida, USA, with the Domino's Pizza International team. ...

No cheesy welcome for Scooters Pizza’s new managing executive   Carlo Gonzaga One of South Africa’s leading pizza franchises, Scooters Pizza, has seen major internal changes with new blood in the management team as they welcomed Owen Viljoen as managing executive to the popular pizza brand.   Viljoen has already made his mark at Scooters. His fresh ideas and dynamic thinking set him apart from the rest and the Taste Holdings team is more than happy with his internal changes and looking forward to great brand growth.   As managing executive of the Scooters Pizza team, Viljoen brings with him a mass of experience in retail management which will stand him in good stead to grow the Scooters Pizza brand. After obtaining his Bachelor of Engineering and an MBA at the University of Pretoria, Viljoen worked as a management consultant in logistics, supply chain and organisation development. In 1994, he joined Gilbey’s in Johannesburg as manager of industrial engineering...